He177 on the Eastern Front

[keith A]

Were any He177s lost to Russian fighters?

[Brian Bines]

From notes taken from NVMs there were these :-

1/ 28-7-44 He177 A-3 V4+PT 9/KG1 332229 fell to Russian fighters N/W of Schaulein by Joniskis crew baled out with one missing and one missing to returned

2/ 28-7-44 He177 A-3 V4+CN 5/KG1 332351 ? shot down by Russian fighters S/W of Eleja crew of Uffz Robert Bieraugel missing

Brian Bines

[keith A]

Thanks Brian.

[Brian Bines]

Keith,

Just found the original 'K's so can add the following

1/ V4+CN 2331 shot down1545 hrs

Ff Uffz Robert Bieraugel missing
B Ogef Kurt Winkler missing
Bf Ogef Karl Karliczek missing
Bw Uffz Josef Zopf missing to returned uninjured
Bs Ogef Hermann Hartmann missing to returned uninjured
Bs Uffz Raimund Nitsch missing
two NVMs for this crew 2nd has two returned men notated

2/ V4+PT

Bf Fw Benno Alzinger baled out missing
Bs Ogef Ottoi Wieseler baled out over own lines now in Lazarett Tapiau Ost Pr.

In addition on the same day V4+?N 37261 is shown as crashing Flughafenzone Prowehren at 1450hrs crew of Lt Erich Hillig all killed,

Regards
Brian Bines

[Stig Jarlevik]

Brian

Just a couple of points

In their Classic He 177 book Smith/Creek says the w/o WNr was (33)2228 and not 332229 as you list. Which is correct?
They also say Schaulen, not Schaulein...

I also assume you mean WNr 332351 and not 332331 in your last post?

Finally I cannot locate any WNr 37261 in the book

Cheers
Stig

[Brian Bines]

Stig,

The wn for V4+VT on the NVM is shown as 2229 and in the Griehl/Dressel book as
332229 A-3 V4+PT 28.07.44 enemy action

My typo should be Schaulen

The correct wn is 332351 on NVM and Griel/Dressel my error . Creek has 2351 as on 12-7-44 west of Kleja ( not on Google Earth) the NVM I have is 28.7.1944 S/W Eleja which on Google Earth is in Latvia near border.

NVM shows He177 A-5 V4+IN wn 37 2610 however the Creek book p.195 has He177 A-5 2610 5/KG 1 V4+IN crashed following engine trouble Prowehren on 28 July 1944 pilot Lt Hillig

Regards
Brian Bines

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Brian

So looks like we have a typo of some sort in the Creek/Smith book. Will correct to WNr 332229

Smith/Creek consistantly leave out the first two digits in the He 177 WNr. Don't know why.

However I am now a bit puzzled by your changed WNr 37261 into 372610 since I have that down as 332610.

Anyone who knows for sure which is correct?

Cheers
Stig

[Brian Bines]

Stig,

The Creek book says the small block which includes 2610 were A-3s and the Wn was often preceded by 33 . Perhaps the A-5 on the NVM is wrong and the 37 2610 should be 33 2610 . Griehl/Dressel has 332610 A-3 V4+IN 28-7-44 5/KG 1 Motorschaden so I would take it the NVM is wrong,

Regards
Brian Bines

[Stig Jarlevik]

Sounds reasonable Brian

With NVM being as they are, I would never have dared suggesting they could be wrong (Tongue in cheek of course....)

Cheers
Stig

[keith A]

Can anyone tell me the names, types of aircraft and unit numbers of the victorious Russians? regards, Keith